Everybody loves a good comeback story.
Ranging from Abraham Lincoln to Britney Spears, there have been countless comebacks from unlikely heroes and the public has just eaten it up. For a popular public figure, sometimes the line between what is acceptable and can be repaired versus an irreversible scandal, can be blurred.
There is a constant stream of articles printed daily featuring wild claims about public figures and celebrities, all riddled with new scandals and humiliations. These stories are constantly making headlines and entertainment shows, they’re blowing up Twitter feeds and making Ryan-Seacrest types jump for joy. Yet no one seems to bat an eye anymore. These ‘career-crushing’ situations don’t really seem to be all that career-crushing anymore.
And despite saying otherwise, we love following along with the drama.
Yet, sometimes a celebrity or public figure’s reputation can be severely harmed by a scandal or information getting out to the public. But with the assistance of a good public relations team, a good attitude, a selfless act of charity perhaps and occasionally, blind faith, a reputation can be restored in the eyes of the public.
It’s not uncommon, there are a lot of skilled public relations teams who know exactly how to correctly persuade (read: manipulate) the public into getting their client back into good graces.
Today, we’re focusing on Mister Tony Stark himself.
Robert Downey Jr. began acting at a young age and by age 22, he landed his first major role on the big screen in The Pick-up Artist (1987). Also in 1987, he starred in Less Than Zero in which he played a drug-addicted party animal.
RDJ in Less Than Zero
Unfortunately, his role in Less Than Zero was not too far off from his reality. RDJ had a serious drug addiction, and his role in the film felt like an extension of himself, “…for me, the role was like the ghost of Christmas future. The character was an exaggeration of myself. Then things changed, and, in some ways, I became an exaggeration of the character.” Downey Jr. said to The Guardian in 2003.
His drug problem followed him even as his impressive career advanced. He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1993 for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplan in Chaplan (1992). Although he put on an impressive performance, showing his knack for physical comedy as well as his emotional range, Downey and the Academy were met with backlash following the nomination. He had earned a reputation as one of the most talented actors of the generation, but also as a controversial bad boy.
Downey’s life for the next several years was a series of headlines, dramatics, illegal activity and just general debauchery. There were multiple trips to prison, rehabilitation centers and naked drives down Sunset Boulevard.
However, Robert Downey Jr. is still a commonplace name when discussing Hollywood actors, and not just those who were busted with cocaine while wearing a Wonder Woman costume (it’s a short list). So, what did he do?
One of the most remarkable things about Downey is his modesty and raw honesty, even while he was suffering with his addiction, he owned who he was and was unapologetic about it, something that might not have worked if he didn’t have the face that he did. When asked about his role on the award-winning television show Ally McBeal (we all remember his duet with Sting, right?) he laughs it off, says that it’s funny that all it takes is to put a man in a Hugo Boss suit and feed him his lines, and he can be fantastic, he also says that this role was during his lowest point regarding his addiction.
After all the chaos, Downey sought help. In 2003, he was officially clean, with the help of facilities, yoga, therapy, and meditation, as well as a new relationship with producer, Susan Levin. His commitment to sobriety has carried him into 2016, where he is still a prevalent name to movie-goers and tabloid followers alike.
Tony Stark, himself
When he was cast as the billionaire-playboy-philanthropist, Tony Stark in 2008, he had more than hit his stride. He continued his role as Ironman into a few films in the Marvel franchise, and is still most recognized as the hero. But, he also used this fame and recognizability for good, another step in the right PR direction.
Downey joined with Limbitless Solutions, a non-profit organization, as Tony Stark to visit Alex, a young fan who received 3D-printed arm which matches that of the Ironman suit.
RDJ making amends, hanging out with Alex, a young Iron Man fan who received a new 3D printed arm
Downey is also involved with several other charities, and recently raised more than £1 million for a British hospice by raffling off tickets to win a luxury Tony Stark’esque date with him to watch the world premiere of the new Avengers film.
If you talk about Robert Downey Jr. now, most people would associate him with Ironman and the Avengers, and not DUI’s and rehabilitation centres, and although it took a great deal of courage and strength to seek the help that he needed in his darkest days, he has clearly emerged from the other side a better man for it.
Aside from the self-care and rehabilitation required to get better physically, to get better
publicly can be an even bigger challenge and there’s no correct way to persuade the public to abolish you of sin. In Robert Downey Jr.’s sake, it took hard work, impressive acting talent, a lot of charity work, and a perfect dash of self-deprecating wit.
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